Women's Basketball 2/12/2021 4:57:00 PM

Women’s Basketball Returns To The Hardwood In First Savannah State Home Game In Nearly A Year

Box Score SAVANNAH, Ga. – At 6 p.m. on Feb. 11, Savannah State women's basketball tipped off against Benedict College in an empty Tiger Arena, closing a long game-less era for Savannah State Athletics.

On March 10, 2020, around 7 p.m., Savannah State baseball put away their bats and closed down their field after a game with the University of South Carolina Beaufort.

Two days later, Savannah State athletics cancelled the remaining games of the 2020 spring season due to the novel coronavirus, opening one of the longest home game droughts in Savannah State's 119 year athletics history—dating back to 1944 when the college had no athletics for a year.

The spring cancelations did not affect women's basketball since they had finished their season in February of 2020. But as the pandemic shut down fall sports for Savannah State, winter sports (basketball and indoor track & field) were also impacted.

The Lady Tigers originally scheduled a season to begin on January 9, pushed back after their normal opening in November was postponed.

A week later after finalizing the schedule, the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) postponed winter sports until March, but in the same decision allowed member institutions the ability to play a non-conference schedule in February. The decision also included a clause that no fans would be allowed to attend any SIAC member institution home games.

Last week, women's basketball released a new schedule of eight games. Although most are against SIAC opponents, none will count as conference games. The Lady Tigers are hoping to add at least three more games to this year's schedule. The SIAC has yet to announce a conference schedule.

"It was definitely weird and awkward, kind of, to not have people out there looking and cheering," junior transfer Bria Gibbs said in a post-game press conference on Thursday.

"It's our new normal, trying to be comfortable with being uncomfortable, like coach says," Gibbs said. "That just came as a part of the game tonight. In order to play, that's just what we have to do."

In their season opener, the Lady Tigers—who look very familiar to last year's team—managed well against the ranked and reigning SIAC Champion Benedict Lady Tigers, playing them neck and neck for the first 30 minutes.

Gibbs drained two free-throws with 27 seconds left in the second period to cut the visitor's lead to 31-29. Benedict's Shanaissa White responded, finishing the period with a second-chance layup for a 33-29 lead into the half.

Near the end of the third period, Benedict lead 40-42 before opening a 9-2 run in the final three minutes for a 51-42 lead at the buzzer. Midway through the fourth period, the visiting Lady Tigers pushed out to a 20-point lead behind a three-pointer from two time SIAC Player of the Year Ay'Anna Bey, their largest lead of the game.

Minutes later, Benedict sealed up their fifth win of the season with an 81-63 win over the Lady Tigers.

Gibbs led the Lady Tigers with 14 points on the night in her Savannah State debut. Starting guard Azhana Maxwell put up 13 on the night and freshman Nyla Allen added 10.

Sophomore Amari Heard, who was named the SIAC Freshman of the Year for the 2019-20 season, put up five points and led the team in rebounds with seven.

Savannah State travels to Fort Valley on Feb. 17 to face Fort Valley State at 6 p.m. They return home for back-to-back games against Albany State on Feb. 19 and Feb. 20 in Tiger Arena.

Fans can stream all home games at ssuathletics.com/watch.

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Players Mentioned

#2 Azhana Maxwell: G; 5' 8"; Junior

#20 Nyla Allen: G; 5' 2"; Freshman

#22 Bria Gibbs: C; 6' 0"; Junior

#23 Amari Heard: G; 6' 0"; Sophomore

Players Mentioned

#2 Azhana Maxwell
: 5' 8"; Junior
: G

#20 Nyla Allen
: 5' 2"; Freshman
: G

#22 Bria Gibbs
: 6' 0"; Junior
: C

#23 Amari Heard
: 6' 0"; Sophomore
: G